Suds box



May 6, 1941.

w;- J. mouns subs BOX Filed June 22, 19:59

illllllll'llllllil llllllll/ Patented May 6, 1941 pmrso STATES" PATENT OFFICE l 2.240.809

sonsnox Rodney Hunt Mass assignor to e company, Orange,

Mass" a corporation of Massachusetts Application June 2:, ms, Serial No. 280,435

(CL ss-zos) 3 Claims.

This invention relates to asuds box and appurtenances for cloth washing machines in which the cloth is passed through the machine in the form of continuous ropes.

The principal objects of the invention include the provision of a non-clogging self-cleaning suds box which effects a saving in time ,of washing and rinsing and of'soap and water used; the provision of a skimmer box, whereby the oily scum resultant from the washing of certainfabrics may be easilyremoved from the machine; the provision of a combined suds box and skimmer wherein there are no gates, valves, etc., to collect flocks, dirt, string, etc., which ordinarily require frequent stopping of the machine for cleaning and thus resultant in loss of time and soap; the provision of a suds box with sloping sides and a permanently open down spout, whereby the water and flocks carried thereby are always in motion, preventing collection of the flocks as has heretofore been unavoidable in level bottomed suds boxes; the provision of a pivoted baflle located adjacent and below the down spout, whereby the soapy water may be directed to the washer, tub, or the rinsing water may be directed to the skimmer box, the latter having an open drain to the outside of the tub. Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter. Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a side transverse sectional view through the machine; and

Fig. 2 is an end view, partly in section, of the device as shown in Fig. 1, with parts broken away.

The old style washing machine is provided with a suds box which has to be closed during the soaping, and also the rinsing processes, so that the soapy water squeezed out of the goods as they pass between the main rolls will drop back directly into the tub and contaminate it. During the rinsing process the drains or gates are closed and the clear fresh water usually at a temperature of 110 F. is introduced into the machine, usually at a point between the surface of the water in the tub and the nip of the rolls. As the goods pass through the nip, this clear rinsing water carrying with it soap and dirt previously loosened, is squeezed out of the fabric. This water is caught by the suds box and drained out into the sewer. The efilciency of this suds box under the rolls directly determines the efiiciency of the rinsing process be cause the rinsing process is lengthened by the fact that much of the dirty water squeezed out is simply returned to the tub.

This invention is designed to pass the rinsing water directly out of the washer through the skimmer box; while by merely flipping a bailie the soapy water is directed into the tub and does not enter the skimmer box.

This invention may be applied to the conventional tub III which has a means I2 located at any convenient or desired point for spraying water against the ropes of the fabric II. The ropes are formed by sewing together ends of the cloth to be washed and these endless ropes are passed many times around a guide I6, between squeezing rolls it, over the reel 20 and through the soapy water 22.

The suds box is placed beneath the squeezing rolls II and is composed of the sharply sloping members 24 and the less sloping members 26, which latter are spaced as at 28 to provide for the down spout 30. Elongated members 32 are provided in the down spout for a purpose to be later described.

The numeral 34 indicates a bafllle plate pivoted'at the ends of its lower edge as at 36. The pivot points as shown are located slightly to one side of the center of the down spout, and the latter acts as a stop for the bafile in either position, as shown in Fig. 1.

Below the bailie and somewhat offset therefrom there is located the skimmer box 38 having a sloping surface 40 leading to a permanently open outlet 42, which may be duplicated at the other end of the box. The upper edges of the skimmer box are made level with each other so that, if the level of the water 22 rises to its dotted line position in Fig. 1, water will pour over the edges of the box on both sides at the same time, and, of course, only the topmost level of the water will be so poured.

In the process of washing, the fabric is entered into the washer and sewed to form the ropes ll in the usual manner. The soap and water are introduced, and the baflie 34 is placed in full line position, as shown in Fig. 1. As the soapy water is squeezed out by the rolls l8, it pours down the sloping sides of the suds box, through the down spout and into the tub, and

cannot escape through the skimmer box which line position in Fig. 1 and now the soap, dirt, and flocks are carried along with the water through the skimmer box and outlet 42, there being no places in the suds box or skimmer where these elements may lodge, and the water must always be in motion, preventing any settling. The water itself in passing through the down spout 30 helps keep the battle in its selected position, and the elements 32 prevent the water from getting in behind the baflle anddislodging it.

In certain fabrics containing foreign matter, such as oil, which is washed out, a scum floating on the water 22 is formed, and merely by raising the level of the water up to the top edges of the skimmer box, the scum is quickly and easily washed out and discharged through the skimmer box, and this cuts down the washing time, as otherwise the scum will eventually settle and can only be removed by extended soaping time and expenditure of extra soap, which is a longer andcostlier operation. 1

Thus, it is seen that the sloping suds. box prevents the settling of the dirt and flocks which is unavoidable in the conventional washer, wherein this action builds up a decided obstruction, reduces the area of the suds box, slows up the washing action, and requires repeated cleaning out. Merely by tilting the heme to desired position, the rinsing water and its contained dirt and flocks are easily discharged without the use of valves, gates, etc., as are now used and which become clogged with dirt and flocks, thus requiring frequent cleaning. In case of scum forming on the surface of the water, it can be got rid of easily and quickly.

In view of the above, it is seen that this invention provides a non-clogging self-cleaning suds box and skimmer box of simple and emcient character, which may be made of various sizes and lengths to be accommodated in washing or finishing machinesof conventional type,

Having thus described my invention and the advantages thereof, I do not wish to be limited to the details herein disclosed, otherwise than as set forth in the claims, but what I claim is:

1. In a device of the class described, a tub, a washing device therein, an open topped suds box in the tub and located below the washing device, a drainage orifice in the bottom of the suds lbox, an open topped skimmer box wholly in the tub and located below the orifice, said skimmer box having a generally upstanding wall located directly below the area of the orifice, a baiile pivoted in the tub just above said wall, said baille having an end portion extending adjacent said orifice, said baiile being selectively movable so that said end portion may be located closely adjacent either side of the orifice, and stop means to locate said bafiie in its positions, whereby it is selectively inclined and fluid from the suds box may be selectively directed to the skimmer box or to the tub.

2. In a device of the class described, a tub, a washing device therein, an open topped suds box in the tub and located directly below the washing device and having a down spout in its bottom portion, an open topped channel-shaped skimmer box wholly in the tub and located below the said down spout, one wall of said skimmer box channel being directly below the area of the down spout orifice, a 'baflle pivoted in the walls of the tub Just above said one skimmer box channel wall, said baifle having one end portion extending into said downspout, and said baflie being selectively movable so that said end andwhich offers saving in manufacturing costs and in soap, water and time of operation.

portion may rest on either side of said downspout, whereby the baflle is selectively inclined and fluid from the suds box may be selectively directed to the skimmer box or to the tub.

3. A device of the class described as recited in the preceding claim, wherein the baffle is pivoted at its end portion opposite from said one end portion extending into said downspout.

WARREN J. SIMONDS. 

